www.discoverportugal2day.com

Portugal emerged as a nation state in the early 12^th century, and ranks as one of the world's longest established countries. In 1143 Portugal was raised to the status of a kingdom. Dom Afonso Henriques became King of an independent Portugal. He had taken three quarters of the present day Portugal from the Muslims, including Lisbon. After his death in 1185 the conquest was completed by his successors. Afonso III expanded this Kingdom southward to the Algarve in 1249, and under João I, Portuguese sailors began to explore the African coast and the Atlantic. Its boundaries have been unchanged since the 13^th century.

The Fifteenth Century was Portugal's age of Discovery. First it was Madeira Island, then the Azores, Cape Bojador and Cape Verde. Then the Portuguese explorers reached Africa rounded the Cape of Good Hope giving Portugal it's own route to India. Vasco de Gama reached India, establishing Portuguese colonies, and Pedro Cabral discovered Brazil. Other Portuguese explorers reached the Far East, China and Japan. For that brief moment in time, Portugal was the richest country in Europe.

The Republic of Portugal encompasses mainland Portugal and the islands groups of Madeira and the Azores. The mainland is about 325 miles long and 135 miles wide.

The Azores are situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 2 hours flying time from Lisbon (about 900 miles) and consists of nine islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo. It was on Santa Maria that Columbus stopped to pray in the small Chapel of Anjos, dated 1467, on his return from discovering America.

Additional information on many of the explorers is available in English on this site Vidas Lusofonas.

For most travelers, Portugal's history and culture are equally unknown. We will take the time to acquaint you with the country, it's past and present. So if you missed Lisbon in 1994 when it was designated as Europe's Cultural Capital, plan on visiting it this year, or next. In 1998, Expo 98 was held ("The Oceans as a resource for the Future" --from May 22 to September 30, 1998). It was very appropriate that Expo 98, whose theme was the Oceans, be held in a country whose mariners defied the sea and gave to the world a New World in the way of discovery. So while you are in Lisbon, why not take a few more days and see some of the country.

Now it is your turn to Discover Portugal this little country that is situated to the left of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean.

Come and join us now as we share our experiences and photos of our travels throughout mainland Portugal including Madeira and the Azores. We discuss our adventures in these various locations and also provide you with links to other Portuguese sites that can provide you with more details on that area. We sincerely hope that by sharing our experiences with you, you will come away with the same appreciation for this country and its people that has had us returning again and again.

This journey provides you with many photographs (300) of the country (the mainland, Madeira and the Azores) and also provides references to many other Portuguese Internet sites that will give additional information on the history, life style and the culture of the country, tours and accommodations.

Here are some wonderful photos taken years ago of the Lisbon area. Click on the picture to see the larger one.

OLD Lisboa

Let's go Traveling to Portugal .

If you are interested in more History, and then some, information on Portugal visit the following site.

An Excellent History and more on Portugal

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